Slicing machine



Jan; 30, 1934. I FREUDENBERG 1,945,269

SLICING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l I ,b F1 .1. 21 ll a Jam. 30, 1934. G. FREUDENBERG SLICING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1927 Jan. 30, 1934. a. FREUDENBERG 1,945,269

SLICING MACHINE Filed, Dec. 2, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 *illlllllllillllliuuu Patented Jan. 30, 1934 UNETED STATES PATENT, OFFIQE SLICING MACHINE Application December 2, 1927. Serial No. 237,161

21 Ciaims.

My present invention relates generally to slicing machines, and has particular reference to an improved meat slicing machine of the character employed in retail stores.

In meat slicers wherein a carriage is given a reciprocating movement by means of mechanism associated therewith and operable by a rotatable hand wheel, several of the advantages obtained are (a) that a step by step advance of the carriage laterally of the reciprocation is automatically possible in a simple manner through the agency of said mechanism, thereby obviating any necessity for a gauge or guiding plate independent of the carriage and against which the meat itself is made to bear; (1)) that smooth operation is rendered possible by simply weighting. the hand wheel and thereby imbuing it with a characteristic of a fly wheel; (0) that the meat is holdable by means other than the hand of an operator, and thereby even small end pieces of meat may be safely subjected to the knife without danger to the operator.

Such machines are relatively expensive as contrasted with those wherein (a) the carriage is reciprocated by hand, and (b) the meat is manually advanced step by step with the assistance of a gauge plate against which the meat is pressed. But the latter type of machine is beset with numerous disadvantages ofisetting its cheapness. For example, the gauge plate is generally a visibility-impairing nuisance; the operation lacks smoothness and ease; and the slicing of end cuts is clumsy and unsatisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to, proide a machine of the last mentioned or manually grasped type wherein most of the disadvantages heretofore inherent therein have been obviated; wherein many of the advantages heretofore found in the more expensive hand-wheel carriage-mechanism type are achieved; wherein other advantages relating to simplified mechanism and construction are gained; and wherein the advantageous characteristics of the so-called hand-operated or manually grasped type, such as simplicity, compactness, and inexpensiveness, have not been sacrificed.

More particular objects of my invention lie in the provision of a simplified and efficiently operable meat carriage and associated meat-holding parts and accessories; in the provision of means for rendering the carriage reciprocation smooth and uniform and devoid of shock; in the provision of an improved gauge plate and improved supporting means therefor; in the provision of improved means for adjusting the gauge plate to control the degree of slicing; in the provision of a clearly visible and unobstructing scale for indicating the gauge plate adjustment; in the provision of an improved knife; and in the provision of improved mounting and protective means for the knife.

Further objects of my invention are, in general, to provide an improved construction and arrangement which (a) facilitates frequent and efiicient cleaning of those elements which must necessarily require it, (b) protects those parts which need not necessarily become unclean, and (c) renders the device as a whole clean, compact, efficient, and attractive, yet simple, staunch, and inexpensive.

It will be understood that certain phases'of-my invention are by no means limited to slicing machines of one or the other type hereinbefore referred to, nor, in fact, to either meat slicing machines or to slicing machines in general.

lhe features of construction and arrangement whereby the foregoing and other objects are attained are more fully described hereinafter and will be clearly appreciated after this specification has been read; and for the attainment of the numerous objects of my inventionl have constructed a. machine which embodies thesefeatures and which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine; a portion of the sharpening housing being broken awayj Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1, except that the meat ofrFigure 1 is replaced by an auxiliary block designed for employment with a relatively small end cut of meat;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional plan view, upon a greatly enlarged scale, of the gauge plateadju ing means and the forward edge of theknife; this view, being. taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational cross-section taken substantially along the line -4,4 of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a-view in the same direction as Figure 4 taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2; a

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional'plan view taken substantially along the line 6-6'of Figure 2;

Fig. i is an enlarged cross-sectional view,i elevation, taken substantially alongthe line 7-7 of Figure 1 and-showingthe methodof mounting I the sharpening housing;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figure -3 showing the parts-of Figure 3 in an adjustingposition; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective'view, with parts broken away, of the meat carriage of Figure 2 and the auxiliary block associated therewith.

The machine comprises a main casting having a base 10. Toward the rear are two spaced standards 11 and 12 which serve as spaced bearings for the knife shaft 13. The latter is mounted within a tubular housing 14, is provided with the rotating knife disc "15 at one end and with a pulley or the like 16 at the opposite end. The latter is connected by means of a belt 17 with a smaller pulley or the like 18 mounted upon the shaft 19 of a motor 20. It will be noted that the motor is positioned between the knife and the transmission from the motor to the knife shaft. This arrangement results in compactness and also in a firm bearing for the knife shaft. The transmission illustratively exemplified by the pulleys and belt is completely enclosed in a housing 21 which protects it and keeps it clean.

A vertically arranged plate 22, preferably of white enamel or the like, walls ofi the entire driving and transmission arrangement from the forward portion of the base 10. See more particularly Figure 5. This forward portion of the base is also preferably made of white enamel or thelike and is adapted to receive the slices falling thereon as the meat is moved backwards and forwards with respect to the knife.

The right-hand portion of the base 10 is con,- structed in the form of a hood, presently to be decribed, beneath which a guide rail is arranged, and upon which guide rail the meat carriage 23 is mounted. The latter is graspable substantially as shown in Figure 1 and is movable rearwardly .and forwardly in a reciprocating manner to subject the meat 24 to the slicing action of the knife. As the carriage is moved back and forth, the hand of the operator urges the meat 24 to the left and thereby presses it againsta gauge or guiding plate 25 whose outer surface is substantially aligned with the knife but is adjustable in the manner presently to be described.

Beneath the base 10 is an arrangement for facilitating smooth operation and reciprocation of the carriage. Referring more particularly to Figures 2, 4, 5, and 6, it will be seen that the guide rail 26 is substantially enclosed by the hood 27 whose cross-section is an inverted U. Beneath the rail 26, which is preferably circular in cross-section, is an auxiliary guiding rail 28 which is preferably rectangular in cross-section. The

carriage comprises a main casting 29 having a portion 30 which extends downwardly beneath the outer edge of the hood 2"! and thence upwardly into engagement with the rail 26. The

' latter engagement is effected by providing a sleeve or bearing as an integral portion of the carriage casting, this bearing slidably engaging about the rail 26. The portion 30 is further provided with two spaced guide nuts or projections 31 which extend downwardly to opposite sides of the auxiliary rail 28 and slidably engage the other on opposite sides thereof to maintain the carriage in the position of Figure 5.

The portion 30, immediately over the auxiliary rail 28, is adapted to engage the outer or free end 32 of a curved lever 33 mounted in a horizontal'plane beneath the base 10. This lever is pivoted at its inner end 34 and is moved by the carriage portion 30 from the full line position of Figure 6 to the dotted line position thereof as the carriage is moved from the front of the the lever 33 thereon and facilitating the sliding movement thereof.

Adjacent to the pivoted end 34 of the lever 33, and more particularly, at the point 36, I provide a pivotal attachment for a tension spring 37 whose opposite end is firmly fixed at 38 to the forward wall of the main casting. This spring is substantially aligned with the guide rail 28 as shown in Figure 6.

The spring 37 impresses a continuous load upon the carriage during its advancing movement, and in this way prevents shock which might be caused when the meat first encounters the knife. This spring also serves to assist the return movement of the carriage, as will be understood.

By virtue of the arrangement of parts, the continuous load imposed by the spring is also a constant load. Inasmuch as the point 36 will travel in a path which is an arc whose center is at the pivot point 34, and inasmuch as the lever 33 is curved as shown, the leverage with which the spring retards the advance movement of the carriage will decrease as the carriage is advanced. But since the spring is becoming more and more strained as the carriage is advanced, the in creased strain compensates the reduction in leverage and thereby renders the action of the spring constant.

It will be obvious that the position of the gauge plate 25 will determine the thickness of slice produced. Referring more particularly to Figures l, 3, 5, and 8, it will be noted that when the gauge plate is in the position shown in Figure 3 it is exactly aligned with the peripheral edge 39 of the knife. Accordingly, the meat which is pressed against the gauge plate during its movement toward the knife will not be sliced. This is the zero position of the gauge plate. It is a feature of my invention to provide means for adjusting the gauge plate so as to permit varying thicknesses of slice, and to provide this means in such a manner that the gauge plate will be moved bodilyinto any of a series of positions parallel to itself.

More particularly, my invention contemplates an adjustment of the gauge plate from the full line position of Figure 3 to the dotted line position thereof, i. e., to the full line position of Figure 8. The lower portion of the gauge plate 25 forms the right-hand wall of an elongated casing running from front to back of the machine. The other walls of this casing are formed by a casting 40. Mounted longitudinally in this casing is a shaft 41 provided with the spaced worms 42 and terminating at its forward end in an exteriorly accessible knob 43. Each worm 42 engages a toothed segment or crank 44 unrotatably mounted upon a vertical rod 45. Each rod 45 extends downwardly through the casing and is mounted at its outer lower end upon a crank 46, the other end of which is mounted upon a vertical spindle 4'7. Each spindle 47 is rotatably mounted upon a fixed base 43 (Figure 5) preferably seating upon the hood 2'7.

Viewing Figures 3, 5, and 8, if the knob 43 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, it will cause the worms 42 to turn the toothed cranks 44 in a counterclockwise direction. These cranks are unrotatably mounted except upon the spindles 47, and as a result, the spindles 47 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction and throw the cranks 46 into the position shown in- Figure 8.

Obviously, this will carry the entire casing and.

plate from the position of Figure 3. to that of Figure 8 is limited by the fact'that the flat edges of the toothed earns 44 will encounter the inner wall of the plate 25.

It will thus be noted that the gauge plate is movable as a whole through a circular are but. remains constantly parallel to itself. The advantage ofthis lies in providing a constant guide for the meat along a line absolutely parallel toits direction of reciprocation. Another great advantage lies in automatically increasing the width. of the space through which the slicelwill pass after having been cut. In connection with the last, mentioned advantage, attention is dirented to the'relati've positions of the rear edge 49 of the gauge plate 25. As the plate is moved to the left in Figure 3, this edge 49moves not onlyto. the left but also forwardly, i. e.,'diagonally awayfrom the knife periphery, and in this way the-thicker slices are afforded a passageway which increases more rapidly than the slice thickness.

It will'be noted that the casing and the adjusting means just described serves also as the supporting means for the gauge plate, and that the latter is therefore supported only along its lowest edge. As a result, the gauge plate does not impair the clear visibility of both the right-hand and left-hand portions of the device. In other words,

upon viewing Figure 5, it will be seen that an operator standing in normal upright position in front of the machine is enabled, without craning his neck, to see not only the meat he is holding and guiding with his right hand, but also the slices falling to the left of the gauge plate. This is an advantage heretofore unrealized in machines of the type employing gauge plates and is directly due to the means for supporting and adjusting the gauge plate by cooperation with only its lower edge.

The adjustment of the gauge plate is indicated upon a: scale 81 mounted upon the casting in the relatively high and rearward position shown in Figures 2 and 5. A pointer 82 is mounted upon a vertical spindle 83, the latter upon a crank 84, and the free end of the crank upon avertical rod 85. 'Iherod 85 is a continuation of the rod associated with the crank 44. When the gauge plate is moved, the crank 44 and the rod 45 are moved in anarc about the axis of the spindle 47. As a result, the rod 85'moves through a similar arc and moves the pointer over the scale 81 through the intermediary of the crank 84.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, and'4, it will be noted that the knife disc is provided with a concentric depression in its outer face. This depression enables a cover plate 51 to accommodate itself therein. In accordance with one feature of my invention, this cover plate is hinged at its lower edge by a relatively long hinge arrangement 52 (Figure 2). A handle 53 provided at the upper portion of the cover 51 and provided with a. knob 54 or the like permits the cover plate to be retained normally in the position of Figure 2 and .5 the full line position of Figure 4, andto be swung downwardly into the dot and dash position of Figure 4 when it is'desired to clean the outer surface'of the knife disc.

The importance of this hinged arrangement will be more clearly appreciated when it is pointed out that the outer surface of the cover 51 serves the added function of guidingthe meat after it has passed. the knife. Accordingly, this cover is so constructed. andfarranged that the outer surface 55 (Figure 3) is constantly aligned with the periphery 39 j of the knife. When the meat is advanced against the knife and past the latteryits support upon the gauge plate 25'is replaced bya support uponthe outer face 55 of the cover; 51.

The latter must therefore be constructed in a unyieldability, is rendered directly possible by the provision of the hood 27, for-a support is therefore provided'upon' which the relatively long horizontal hinge-52 may be mounted. This relatively long hinge imparts sufficient rigidity and unyieldability to the cover 51 so as to enable the latter to serve its meat guiding function. a

It is another feature of my invention to 'bevel the annular or exposed portion of the knife disc as shown in Figure 3. It will be noted that this annular portion, i. e., from the periphery 39-to the periphery of the cover 51, is concave on the outer surface of the knife. The advantage of this lies in preventing contact between the rotating knife and the meat except at the extreme cutting periphery 39. Heretofore, contactof this rotating annular portion of the knife disc with the meat has adversely affected the latter by compressing it and in general byrubbing over the surface of the meat. In accordance with the present in vention, therefore, the m at face contacts only with the gauge plate 25 and with the surface 55 of the cover 51. Upon a return movement of the meat to the front of the machine, no sliding contact is possible between the exposed portion of the knife and the newly presented forward face of the meat.

Another feature of my invention resides in the improved sharpening devices which are most clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 5, and '7. I provide a grinding wheel 56 upona spindle 57, the latter being supported at spaced points on oppo-- site sides of the wheel 56 in opposite walls of the housing 58. The wheel 56 is arranged at an angle so that when it is in operation it will en counter the inclined inner surface 59- of the knife periphery. Another wheel 60 is mounted upon a similar spindle 61, the latter being also supported at spaced points on opposite sides of the wheel 60 in the Walls of the housing 58. The wheel 60 is mounted so that when operated it will encounter the outer edge of the knife periphery. The spindle 57 terminates at its left end in a knob 62 exterior of the housing 58; and the spindle 61 terminates at its right end in a knob 63 exterior of the housing 58. A spring 64 tends normally to keep the wheel 56 off of the knife periphery, and a similar spring 65 tends normally to keep the wheel 60 off of the knife periphery.

In accordance with a feature of my invention the knobs 62 and 63 are arranged in such mutual proximity as to be accessible to the fingers of one hand of an operator. Thus, if the operator presses his thumb upon the knob 62 he will be enabled to place his forefinger upon theknob 63, and'by pressing inwardly upon both knobs, the grind wheels 56 and 60 will be brought simultaneously against the opposite surfaces of the knife periphery to sharpen the knife. Release of the knobs 62 and 63 will cause the wheels immediately to resume their normal inoperative positions shown in Figure 1.

By providing the housing 58', I am enabled not its " be seen from Figures 1, 2, and 9 that a pair of only; to completely enclose the sharpening wheels and thereby protect them, the knife periphery, and the hand of the operator, but I am enabled also to impart the advantageous double support to each grind wheel spindle. The wheels are firmly retained in proper relationship and cannot be deflected therefrom, because each spindle is securely mounted on opposite sides of the wheel.

Another feature of my invention resides in providing means for removably mounting the entire housing 58 upon the main supporting structure of the machine. Where a single set screw is employed for this purpose, the removal of the housing for purposes of cleaning the wheels is a very important matter, but the replacement of the housing in proper position so that the wheels will againbe properly operative has required a tedious adjustment of the set screw. In accordance with my invention, the means for removably mounting the housing is independent of the means for adjusting the proper predetermined position of the housing with respect to the knife.

Thus, in Figure 7, I have provided a bore 66 in the main supporting structure or casting, and an upwardly projecting rod or member 67 is mounted'in the bore 66. This rod is provided with a threaded opening 68 adjacent toits upper end and is normally retained in a predetermined projecting position by means of a set screw 69. The housing 58 is provided with a portion 70 having a bore which permits the housing to be applied over the rod 67 so as to seat by gravity upon the rod. And the housing 58 is also provided with a knob 71 having a threaded portion 72 adapted to engage with the threaded bore 68 in the rod 67. The housing 58 is so constructed as to be applicable in straddled position over a portion of the knife periphery, and when the machine is originally assembled, the set screw 69 is adjusted so that when the housing is so positioned over the knife periphery, the wheels carried thereby will be in proper operative relationship with respect to the knife. When the retail merchant or operator of the machine desires to clean the wheels, he simply unscrews the knob 71 and lifts the entire housing 58, with wheels and all, ofi

" operations.

of the post or member 57. After cleaning, the entire housing may be replaced upon the post 57 with great ease and without any fine adjustment. When the knife periphery has worn off, which may not be until many months usage, a specially trained mechanic, or the operator himself, may adjust the set screw 69. In any event, a fine adjustment of the set screw 69 is not necessitated at the frequent cleaning intervals but merely at relatively infrequent intervals, if at all.

In connection with the sharpening device, it is to'be noted that the hood 27 effectively shields the guide rail 26 from matter which may be thrown down by the knife during sharpening Heretofore, the matter thrown down in this way has served to wear grooves and irregularities into the rail 26 and thereby rendered the operation even more unsatisfactory.

With respect to the meat carriage itself, it will plates 73 and 74, preferably of white enamel or the like, are mounted at right angles upon the main carriage casting 29. The forward plate 73 is cut away as shown in Figure 1 to permit the hand of an operator to be applied thereto as shown in said figure. The casting is provided with an enlarged portion 75 immediately beneath the forward edge of the plate 73 to facilitate the grasping thereof by the thumb of the operators hand. In

whose manipulation by hand would be dangerous,

the auxiliary block illustrated in Figuresj2 and 9 is employed. In accordance with a feature of my invention, the carriage bed constituted of the plates 73 and 74 is provided with a slit 76 along the notch of the V-shaped bed. This slit is preferably provided by simply arranging the plates 73 and 74 in slightlyspaced relationship. The auxiliary block comprises a forward meat-engaging end 77, this end being adapted to fit snugly into the carriage bed as shown in Figure 9; a portion 78 extending rearwardly therefrom to retain the portion 77 in upright position;. and an angular rib 79 extending longitudinally of the en: tire auxiliary block and engagable in the slit 76. When an end cut is to be sliced, the auxiliary block is inserted into the bed-by inserting the angular rib 79 endwise into the slit 76. The block may then be urged endwise against the small piece of meat,,the operators hand meanwhile engaging the portion 78 instead 'of the meat itself. The engagement of the rib 79 along a substantial longitudinal length prevents the auxiliary block from riding or Wobbling in the carriage bed. The block is preferably provided also with an abutment or stop 80 which engages the carriage casting to limit the endwise inward movement of the block so as to prevent encounter thereof with the knife. f

It will thus be seen that I have provided a machine of great efliciency, simplicity, and attractiveness. The numerous features of construction and arrangement cooperate one with the other to produce a machine having all the advantageous characteristics of cleanability, ease of operation, and cheapness. Although the details herein described and illustrated will explain the general nature of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that many changes in these details may be. made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 7

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating knife, a gauge plate substantially aligned therewith and adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, and means for imparting an adjusting movement of pure translation to the gauge plate, said movement being'along a circular arc whose axis lies substantially in the plane of the knife.

2. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating knife,

a gauge plate substantially aligned therewith and l adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter'against theknife, and means for adjusting the gauge plate parallel to itself to control the thickness of slice; said means comprising a pivot, a crank carried thereby, and

adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, and means for adjusting the gauge plate-parallel to itself to control the thickness of slice; said means comprising a, pivot, a toothed crank carried thereby, and a worm engaging the crank and movable with the gauge plate.

4. In a meatslicing machine, a rotating knife, a gauge plate substantially, aligned therewith and adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, and means for adjusting the gauge plate parallel to itselfto control the thickness .of slice; said means comprising a pair of pivots, a toothed crank carried by each thereof, a shaftparallel to the line passing through the pivots, a pair of worms on said shaft and engaging said cranks, and a pair of bearings for said shaft fixedly associated with and hence movable with the gauge plate.

5. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating knife, a gauge plate substantially aligned therewith and adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, and means for adjusting the gauge plate parallel to itself to control the thickness of slice; said means comprising a pivot, a toothed crank carried thereby, -a worm engaging the crank and movable with the gauge plate, a casing enclosing said crank and worm, and'means exterior of the casing for adjusting the worm to move the crank.

6. In a meat slicing machine, a substantially vertical rotating knife, a meat carriage on one side of the plane thereof and movable to and fro to subject the meat to the slicing action of the knife, a slice-receiving table on the other side of the plane of the knife, an adjustable gauge plate adaptedto receive the meat thereagainst for guidance thereof, said plate being arranged in vertical'interposition between the carriage and the table, and means for support ing and adjusting said plate along only its lower edge so as to leave both the carriage and table constantly visible to an operator standing in normal upright position in front of the machine; said means comprising a fixed base, a casing adjustably mounted on the base and secured to the lower edge of the gauge plate, and means within the casing and controllable from the exterior thereof for adjusting the casing upon the base.

7. In a meat slicing machine, a substantially vertical rotating knife, a meat carriage on one side of the plane thereof and. movable to and fro to subject the meat to the slicing action of the knife, a slice-receiving table on the other side of the plane of the knife, an adjustable gauge plate adapted to receive the meat thereagainst for guidance thereof, said plate being arranged in vertical interposition between the carriage and the table, and means for supporting and adjusting said plate along only its lower edge so as to leave both the carriage and table constantly visible to an operator standing in normal upright position in front of the machine; said means including a fixed base, and a was ing adjustably mounted thereon, one wall of the casing being formed by the lower edge portion of the gauge plate.

8. In a meat slicing machine, a substantially vertical rotating knife, a meat carriage on one side of the plane thereof and movable to and fro to subject the meat to the slicing action of the knife, a slice-receiving table on the other side of the plane of the knife. an adjustable gauge plate adapted to receive the meat thereagainst for guidance thereof, said plate being arnormal upright position in front of the machine;

said means comprising a fixed base, a casing adjustably mounted thereon, means within the casing and controllable from the exterior thereof for adjusting the casing upon the base, and one vertical wall of the casing being the lower edge portion of the gauge plate,

9. In ameat slicing-device, a rotating knife, a guard plate having its outer surface coplanar with the cutting edge of the knife, a meatcarriage mounted for reciprocal movement with respect thereto and designed for direct manual grasp and operation, a lever actuated by the carriage, and a spring associated with the lever for impressing a continuous load upon the carriage during its advance movement, said lever and spring being so arranged that the leverage acting upon the spring automatically increases with the spring strain, whereby the load created by the spring remains substantially constant.

10. In a meat slicing device, a rotating knife, a guard plate having its outer surface coplanar with the cutting edge of the knife, a meat carriage mounted for reciprocal movement with respect thereto and-designed for direct manual grasp and operation, a curved pivoted lever arranged to be slidably encountered and pivoted by the carriage, and a spring arranged to act constantly upon a predetermined point on-the lever, whereby a continuous and substantially constant load is impressed upon the carriage by the spring. Y

11. Ina meat slicing device, a rotating knife, a guard plate having its outer surface coplanar with the cutting edge of the knife, a meat carriage mounted for reciprocal movement with respect thereto and designed for direct manual grasp and operation, a curved pivoted lever arranged to be slidably encountered at its end and pivoted by the carriage, and a spring arranged to act constantly upon a predetermined point on the lever between the pivot and said end, whereby a continuous and substantially constant load is impressed upon the carriage'by the spring.

12. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating knife, a reciprocally movable meat carriage, a guide rail for the carriage, a hood overlying said rail and substantially enclosing the same to ,protect it from matter thrown down by the rotating knife, a bearing mounted on said hood, and a cover plate for the knife having a pivot associated with said bearing and thereby permitting downward pivoting of said plate to uncover the knife for cleaning purposes.

13. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating knife, a reciprocally movable meat carriage, a guide rail for the carriage, a hood overlying said rail and substantially enclosing the same to protect it from matter thrown down by the rotating knife, and a hinged cover plate for the knife, said plate being hinged to said hood to permit downward pivoting thereof to uncover the knife.

14. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating knife disc, a support therefor, and a cover for all but the peripheral annular portion of the disc, said cover being hinged to the support to facilitate the disc, said cover being hinged at the bottom thereof to the support to facilitate uncovering of the disc for cleaning purposes.

16. In a meat slicing machine, a vertical rotating knife disc having a concentric depression in one side thereof, said disc having its peripheral annular portion concave on said side, a meat carriage reciprocally movable with respect to the knife disc to slice the meat carried thereby, a guide rail for the carriage, a hood for said rail, and a cover plate in said disc depression and adapted to support and guide the meat when it is moved past the disc, said plate having its outer surface lying in the plane of the disc periphery and being hinged to said hood.

1'7. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating vertical knife, a gauge plate substantially aligned therewith and adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, means cooperable with the lower edge of the gauge plate for adjusting the latter parallel to itself to control the thickness of slice, and indicating means automatically operable upon adjustment of said gauge plate, said indicating means comprising a scale arranged adjacent to the upper edge of said plate, and a pointer mov able thereover.

18. In a meat slicing machine, a rotating vertical knife, a gauge plate substantially aligned therewith and adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, means cooperable with the lower edge of the gauge plate for adjusting the latter parallel to itself to control the thickness of slice, and indicating means automatically operable upon adjustment of said gauge plate, said indicating means comprising a scale arranged adjacent to the upper edge of said plate and close to the knife, a pointer movable thereover, and an actuating rod extending vertically down from the pointer into operative association with said adjusting means.

19. In a meat slicing, machine, a rotating knife, a gauge plate substantially aligned therewith and adapted to guide the meat during transverse movement of the latter against the knife, means for adjusting the gauge plate parallel to itself to control the thickness of slice; said means comprising a pivot, a crank carried thereby, and means engaging the crank and movable with the gauge plate; and indicating means automatically operable upon adjustment of said gauge plate, said indicating means comprising a scale arranged adjacent to the upper edge of said plate and close to the knife, a pointer movable thereover, and an actuating rod extending from the pointer to said crank.

20. A slicing machine comprising a basega knife mounted thereon, a meat carriage mounted for manual reciprocation relatively to said knife, and means for imposing a yielding resistance to the movement of the carriage toward the knife comprising a lever fulcrumed on the base and operatively connected to the carriage, and a spring engaging the lever at a point of lesser movement than the point of connection with the carriage.

21. A slicing machine'comprising a base, a table arranged to reciprocate on said base, a lever pivoted to swing in a substantially horizontal plane beneath said base, operative connections between said lever and said table, and yielding means for moving said lever in one direction, the movement of said lever under the action of said spring being in such a direction as to resist the movement of the table during the working stroke thereof.

GOTTI-IARD FREUDENBERG.

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